Mission:

The Northeast Library System’s role and mission is to be proactive by facilitating communication, education and access to information through partnerships with area libraries, school media centers, trustees, advocates and their communities.


Purposes:

I. To encourage cooperation among all types of libraries and media centers in the System area;
II. To develop and promote library services to meet the informational needs of all persons in the System Area, regardless of their place of residence;
III. To maximize the use of library resources (people, materials & facilities) and to minimize the duplication of effort;
IV. To encourage and assist System member libraries in strategic planning, and support them in carrying out the roles and missions they have chosen; and
V. To encourage the development of additional sources of funding for libraries.

Education Goals
To facilitate and encourage continuing education opportunities for the librarians, school media specialists, staff, trustees, advocates and their library community.

Education Objectives

1. To provide continuing education opportunities to assist libraries in achieving accreditation/certification needs. This would include opportunities for librarians, school media specialists, staff, trustees, advocates and library financial supporters.

2. To provide support for all librarians, especially new librarians, in order to promote better service through library-related skills.

3. To recognize library directors, library media specialists, trustees or library advocates who exemplify library leadership.

Education Activities
1. The Continuing Education Committee will assess the educational needs of the Northeast Library System by reviewing surveys and workshop evaluations. The Committee will provide direction for education activities in consultation with the Northeast System Board and System Administrator.


2. The system administrator will visit system members on an as needed basis.

3. To sponsor system scholarships for first- time attendees or those who haven’t attended within the last three years to selected continuing education activities recommended by the Continuing Education Committee and approved by the Northeast Library System board.

4. To meet with new librarians to review skills and to distribute the New Librarian’s Survival Packet and to make a follow-up visit with new librarians six months later after initial meeting.

5. To identify and award an outstanding NLS librarian / school media specialist, trustee, volunteer, etc.
6. To promote and educate about the use of ever changing technologies in libraries.
7. Subscribe to and route to interested system members professional journals that provide book reviews, “best methods’, technology updates, and other types of professional information.


Communication Goal
To facilitate communication within and outside the Northeast Nebraska Library Community.

Communication Objectives

1. To serve as a point of access/referral for new ideas, technologies and continuing education opportunities to all librarians, school media specialists, trustees, friends, and library advocates.

2. To provide tools for Northeast Library System members for accessing information and communication.

3. To increase the visibility and value of libraries and library services to the school and community.

4. To encourage system members throughout the service area to be aware of and participate in legislative and political activities and issues that affect libraries.

Communication Activities

1. To keep the System web page current, relevant and promote its use.

2. To promote and encourage all members to use the NELS electronic mailing list, 800 number, and other forms of communication.

3. To maintain a current member directory that is easily accessible to all System members.

4. To facilitate informal meeting opportunities for librarians such as TARGET twice a year.

5. To sponsor system scholarships to cover travel and staff replacement costs for librarians/trustees to attend NLA Legislative Day and promote library services to their legislator.

Approved by NLS Board - 07.15.2009